Why These 5 Locations Are Ideal for a Cost-Effective Destination Wedding
Many people would love to have a destination wedding to make their special day that much more special. Plus, it means their wedding will last more than a day, giving them the chance to have a short vacation with guests to celebrate this major milestone. The reason more people don’t have destination weddings is because they’re concerned that it would be out of their budget. In fact, having a wedding abroad doesn’t need to be expensive at all — a cost-effective destination wedding can even be more affordable than one close to home!
The key to make your wedding affordable is to choose the right location — certain places are naturally suited for the most cost-effective destination weddings. Let’s look at where these spots are and what makes them so affordable.
1. Jamaica
The reason Jamaica is ideal for a cost-effective destination wedding is that many of its resorts offer special packages for couples who are looking to come to the island to get married. Packages tend to be all inclusive, which also helps with budgeting. You can even find packages that include outdoor activities for you and your guests.
Most visitors to Jamaica stay at a resort in one of three places:
Negril. Located near the westernmost point of the island, Negril is best known for its beaches. Accommodation here tends to be upscale, meaning you may spend a little more than in other places in Jamaica. The benefit is that your wedding will definitely be luxurious!
Montego Bay. If you want to include golfing in your wedding activities, Montego Bay is the place to go. If you have keen golfers on your guest list, this can be a fun way to get them even more excited about your wedding. Another advantage is that if you fly in to Sangster International Airport, the drive to your resort will be a short one.
Ocho Rios. Although Ocho Rios is most popular for adventure sports, it hosts no small number of destination weddings. Within your wedding celebrations, you could incorporate a trip to the waterfalls or an excursion to the town (where there’s an active nightlife) — or you could just spend the whole time enjoying the stunning beaches.
Bear in mind, you’ll need to do quite a bit of research to find the right venue because there’s a large number of options at each of these three places.This is where my team and I come in. We help you narrow down your search and offer you options that best fit your needs and budget.
2. Dominican Republic
Another Caribbean island to consider is the Dominican Republic. Again, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts offering wedding packages, many of which are definitely affordable.
The majority of resorts are in Punta Cana — if you stay here, you’ll likely want to leave your resort to explore the city, as it’s a great place for partying. However, there are other options. For instance, Puerto Plata is a historic town with a gorgeous backdrop of mountains and jungle. Then there’s La Romana, which has the advantage of being close to an international airport. If you have your destination wedding here, schedule it for the evening to take advantage of the beautiful sunset colors on the beach. Than there is the beautiful and luxurious Cap Cana - filled with higher end resorts, beautiful beaches and located in the heart of the Caribbean.
3. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
A variety of Mexican venues could be ideal, but a couple stand out as offering the most cost-effective destination weddings.
The first is Playa Del Carmen. You can find virgin beaches here, meaning you won’t need to pay extortionate prices and you’ll be away from the crowds (although you will need to research which beach would be best). Furthermore, the peak tourist season is between December and April, meaning that planning your wedding during the shoulder season (around October) can lower prices dramatically.
4. Cancun, Mexico
Although it’s only a short distance from Playa Del Carmen, Cancun has quite a different atmosphere — and therefore different benefits. One factor that makes it affordable is its proximity to the airport. Another is that there are a variety of wedding service packages available to suit any budget.
The biggest selling point of Cancun, though, has to be the food. Even though the city is a major tourist destination, you’ll find excellent-quality food at low prices. As well as traditional Mexican cuisine and dishes from Yucatan at the local restaurants, there are numerous catering services offering virtually any menu you can think of, including for special diets like vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten free.
5. Costa Rica
Since Costa Rica has everything from beaches and rainforests to volcanoes, you can have exactly the type of destination wedding you want. The country is a particularly popular choice for nature-lovers, but it’s also a top choice for anyone who wants a truly unique wedding.
For instance, you can make a classic beach wedding extra memorable by having it at Playa Negra: a beach with black sands. If you have your wedding in the rainforest, you’ll be surrounded by some of the richest ecosystems in the world, whereas holding your wedding near a volcano will be like nothing your guests have ever experienced.
Many people would be willing to pay a premium for such a unique wedding. The good news is it’s actually easy to have a cost-effective destination wedding in Costa Rica because all the services you need for your wedding are available at affordable prices. This includes flowers, catering, hair and makeup, music, décor, and anything else you need to complete your special day.
Planning a wedding on your own is hard enough — a destination wedding has an added layer of complexity. To avoid needing to travel to the venue in advance, negotiate with vendors abroad, and deal with the little issues that will inevitably crop up, use a wedding planner. Simply Mary’ed can organize every aspect of your cost-effective destination wedding to ensure it’s the perfect event you’ve always dreamed of. Contact us to discuss your needs and budget.
